Victim:

Suspect:

Charges:

Second Degree Murder

Grand Theft Auto

Possession of Marijuana

Details:

On Thursday, 07/19/12, at approximately 1953 hours, neighbors discovered the victim, Grant S. Woodham, W/M (02/25/1994), lying face-down on the entry sidewalk to the residence at 9658 Fox Hearst Road, Tampa. It appeared the victim had been stabbed with a metal object, which was protruding from his chest cavity.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had departed a friend's residence in order to sell narcotics to an unknown black male. The victim left the residence in his black 2010 Dodge Charger, bearing FL tag# AUZ I08, which was not located at the scene when the victim was initially discovered.

On 07/20/12, The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy of the victim and listed the manner of death as Homicide, and the cause of death to be a stabbing with perforations of the heart and lung.

Homicide Detectives conducted numerous interviews and followed up on investigative leads throughout the night and early morning hours. A person of interest (Benjamin Lee Powell, B/M 03/22/1987) was identified and surveillance
was conducted at numerous locations within the District 1 area. District One Street Crimes Unit-A and members of the Special Investigations Division assisted Homicide with visual and electronic surveillance.

At approximately 1810 hours, the victim's Dodge Charger was located at 4601 E. Citrus Circle, in Tampa, Florida. D1 SCU-A and Homicide Detectives surveilled the vehicle and observed a black male seated in the driver's seat. A tactical approach was made on the vehicle and Benjamin Powell, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was arrested without incident. Mr. Powell was transported to CID for an interview with Homicide Detectives. The victim's vehicle was towed to Crime Scene, where it will be forensically examined and processed.

After consulting with the State Attorney's Office, Benjamin Powell was charged with Second Degree Murder (with a deadly weapon), Grand Theft (motor vehicle), and possession of marijuana. Mr. Powell was transported and booked into the Orient Road Jail.